Yucca Mountain, Nevada
As mandated by Congress in the amended Nuclear Waste Policy Act, Yucca Mountain, Nevada is currently being studied by the U.S. Department of Energy to determine if it is a suitable location for the nation`s first geologic repository for disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. While the site has attributes that suggest it may be suitable, DOE must spent the next five to seven years and up to $2 billion to find out if the site would be able to isolate radioactive materials for 10,000 years. Site characterization studies are being conducted to determine the geologic, hydrologic and environmental characteristics of the Yucca Mountain site. The DOE is planning to start construction of an underground laboratory in 1989 and to implement an extensive surface-based study program. The next five to seven years of study will determine if Yucca Mountain can meet regulations for waste isolation and qualify for a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license for repository construction and operation.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Energy, Las Vegas, NV (USA). Nevada Operations Office
- OSTI ID:
- 137507
- Journal Information:
- JNMM, Journal Name: JNMM Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 17; ISSN JNMMEK; ISSN 0893-6188
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Update on the Yucca Mountain project site characterization program
Licensing A Geologic Repository At Yucca Mountain, Nevada
Related Subjects
CONSTRUCTION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GEOLOGY
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROLOGY
NEVADA
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACTS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
REGULATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SITE CHARACTERIZATION
SPENT FUEL STORAGE
US DOE
US NRC
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project